by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Physical Fitness Technician involves the study of Physical Fitness Technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals For Employment In Health And Fitness Clubs, Wellness Centers, Public And Private Recreation Facilities, Hospitals And Corporate Fitness Programs Where They Will Perform A Variety Of Instructional And Administrative Duties. Includes Instruction In Human Anatomy And Physiology, Fitness Techniques, Exercise Science, Personal Training, Nutrition, And Customer Service. Examples: [Fitness Technician], [Fitness Trainer], [Personal Trainer]. Read on to learn the key facts every physical fitness technician major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering physical fitness technician programs.
Across the country, physical fitness technician is a popular field of study, with 1,308 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Physical Fitness Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 122 schools to determine the best overall colleges for physical fitness technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of physical fitness technician programs later in this article.
Studies in Physical Fitness Technician emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations physical fitness technician graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a physical fitness technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a physical fitness technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several physical fitness technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 183 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 165 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 240 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 602 |
People currently working in careers related to physical fitness technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 49.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 34.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 8.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in physical fitness technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in physical fitness technician opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to physical fitness technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to physical fitness technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainers | 316,011 | -0.3% |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | 35,993 | -1.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of physical fitness technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,425 |
| 4 years | $47,075 |
| 5 years | $55,516 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for physical fitness technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers physical fitness technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainers | $79,834 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $54,441 |
With 122 different physical fitness technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased physical fitness technician school rankings to help you.
Students interested in physical fitness technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 32,041 |
| Sport and Fitness Administration/Management | 17,472 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General | 12,633 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other | 1,200 |
| Sports Studies | 607 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
